Getting older and beyond: Reflections on loss, wisdom, and faith
Recently, four writers I regularly read and greatly admire shared their thoughts on aging as part of human development: Antonio Go (see “Of Things Lost and Not Found Again: Time and our hearts,” 1/29/2026), Michael Tan (see “Gray and gold,” 2/03/2026), Randy David (see “On turning 80,” 2/08/2026), and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino (from another paper). Aside from the fact that this time of the year can trigger acute nostalgia, they may also have been inspired by life events such as an upcoming retirement, the loss of a loved one, health, and family changes, and other significant life role changes.
As a senior citizen myself, I found their articles timely and deeply resonant, helping me better understand my own lived experiences with aging. As a follower of Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological philosophy, I drew these insights from their articles.
The op-eds portray aging as elderly people’s growing awareness of what the social psychologist David Myers calls “the terror resulting from our awareness of vulnerability: separations, illness, and death.” Erik Erikson said there are two possibilities facing them on this “final curtain” of life. On the one hand, people who can embrace their life story, with its share of ups and downs, may usually find a sense of acceptance, serenity, and gratitude. On the other hand, those who dwell on mistakes or missed opportunities may often see this time as filled with regret, shame, bitterness, or resentment, and may feel that their lives have been wasted.
They examine many forms of loss associated with aging, including the loss of youth, beauty, influence, loved ones, and emotional stability. Whether we welcome it or not, Father Time is an unyielding force that permanently diminishes these qualities, leaving little room for turning back the hands of time. Our hearts bear the pain and struggle to let go of the burden and fear they contain. As we get older, we realize how transitory our human connections are, making our emotional distress as significant as physical decline. The painful truth is that growing older is all about letting go with grace and gratitude for what we once enjoyed somewhere back in time.
Aging is a time for recollection toward achieving wisdom and wholeness. As opportunities decline, the past becomes more important, offering insights through memories rather than regrets. Gratitude replaces the human desire for wealth, fame, and power, leading to a more fulfilling life than material possessions. We reflect not to dwell, but because memories bring contentment, joy, understanding, and readiness to spend more meaningfully our remaining time on earth. For us, aging isn’t just about decline; it’s about accepting and integrating life experiences, which cultivate feelings of success, completeness, wisdom, and inner peace.
In this life stage—Erikson’s final psychosocial development stage—studies highlight the vital role of religious faith and spirituality (Malone & Dadswell, 2018; Deaton, A.S., 2009; Koenig, 2006). Religion and spirituality boost happiness and provide comfort in adversity, partly explaining why older individuals tend to be more open to the transcendent. Religious communities also support the fundamental need to belong and be accepted. From birth to death, we are never alone in our church community, walking with our co-sojourners, which make our journey more meaningful and manageable.
Noel G. Asiones,
ngasiones@gmail.com
